Post by: Dbax129 on February 10, 2013, 11:55:58 AM
also, anybody know about using them for coyote bait or using calls meant to mimic them? Seems like in Eastern Wa that would be quite effective in spring time...
Post by: bobcat on February 10, 2013, 12:04:40 PM
Post by: Chukar on February 10, 2013, 12:18:23 PM
Sage Rats=Variety of ground squirrel species. Some shootable. Some are not however so know your target. If it is not on the list of protected species you should be ok to shoot.
Rodent squeak in areas where these two types of rodents occur could call in a predator. Never heard of "baiting" predators with dead rodents.
Post by: Dbax129 on February 10, 2013, 01:08:04 PM
Rock chucks are yellow bellied marmots huh? I'll google that and look at pics. Can anybody else who hunts them confirm this? I asked my uncle who has lived there for 40 years and he says they are rock chucks and sage rats. nothing else. real helpful huh.
Post by: Special T on February 10, 2013, 01:11:53 PM
Rock chucks would be Yellow Bellied Marmots.
:yeah:
There is a silver Hoary marmot that is protected. As you might imagine they are silvery grey and are in alpine areas.
Post by: Dbax129 on February 10, 2013, 01:18:15 PM
On "Sage rats", I found a page the WDFW has up about grey squirls
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/)
On this page, the closest looking thing to what I have called sage rats is the California Ground Squirl, which is shootable. However, my "sage rats" are not California Ground Squirls. They are just the closest match in appearance when looking at the pictures on the right.
my "sage rats" are much smaller. Maybe 5" in length, with 2-3" tails that have almost no hair. looks like the californians are much much bigger. The coverage map I think shows teh californians coverage in the yakima valley i think, but again, my "sage rats" are so numerous and much smaller. If you live next to a hops field, you can shoot 5 of them out your window every time you go to the bathroom or kitchen.
Anybody else have an idea? I'll keep looking...
Post by: bobcat on February 10, 2013, 01:28:11 PM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/ground_squirrel/washington_ground_squirrels.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/ground_squirrel/washington_ground_squirrels.pdf)
Post by: Chukar on February 10, 2013, 01:29:43 PM
The "rats" need to be identified first before the plinking begins. Up through Benton-Klick-Yak-Kittitas counties the larger squirrel you find roadside or in patchy woods is the Cal Rock Squirrel or "Beechi" squirrel. They also prefer rocks. Shoot away.
Towards Spokane you can find Columbia Ground and some Richardson Ground Squirrel populations. Both are a good sized target.
Fire away.
The smaller ones...light belly, speckled on the top, big eye ring are Washington State Ground Squirrels. They like grass, sage and orchards and for the last few years are been declining in population and are fully protected. This species is found in Yak-Kittitas-Grant counties fairly easily....one spot that comes to mind is right at the end of the Yakima Canyon Road where you leave the river. First...a Rehab facility on the right has a BIG green lawn and boulders along the road. You can take pictures of the Marmots there as you cannot shoot here but at least you can identify a "RockChuck"
As you continue down the road...orchards on each side have populations of Wash Ground Squirrel. Typically they are sticking out on the edges around drippers and other farm equipment.
Until you go towards the Spokane side...pretty much only Beechi's and Marmots can be found in numbers on public land to shoot at...hope that helped.
Post by: Dbax129 on February 10, 2013, 01:56:11 PM
The smaller ones...light belly, speckled on the top, big eye ring are Washington State Ground Squirrels.strange, that is exactly describing the California ground squirl, you can see here
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/) except its smaller...
Also found this link with a picture
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=187850 (http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=187850)
Post by: Austrian Hunter on February 10, 2013, 02:11:29 PM
Post by: Dbax129 on February 10, 2013, 02:18:58 PM
Post by: Chukar on February 10, 2013, 03:18:52 PM
Washington Ground Squirrels (WGS) are diggers...where you find badgers you find these tiny things. Steepe habitat, grassland, sage...where they can dig. Small. Little tail. Chubby. Squeek/whistle when you get close
The confluence and vicinity of the 410 and 12 Highways has a sizeable population of Beechi rodents if you want to get a visual compared to the little Washington Ground Squirrels. Oak trees, rock hillsides, ditches...much bigger tail, ears, body and are mostly silent.
Post by: Austrian Hunter on February 10, 2013, 03:27:11 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on February 11, 2013, 02:18:07 PM
It seems the Townsend Ground Squirrel (what I call a sage rat) is on the concerned list but not protected....unless they are underground. :chuckle:
Post by: Special T on February 11, 2013, 03:04:05 PM
Post by: Dbax129 on February 11, 2013, 03:46:19 PM
Post by: Jingles on February 11, 2013, 04:27:23 PM
The woodchuck inhabits most of North America, ranging from the Atlantic west to Okalhoma and orth from British Columbia to Alaska.
The Yellow footed marmot inhabits the western United States, British Columbia and Alaska. The Hoary marmot, or rockchuck ranges the mountains of Western North America and thrives in the Rocky Mountains"
referenced the New Hunters Encyclopedia
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 11, 2013, 05:10:01 PM
Post by: Dbax129 on February 11, 2013, 08:54:55 PM
Post by: actionshooter on February 11, 2013, 09:09:47 PM
Could someone post up a map of locations of where the farmers will let you shoot. :chuckle:
Post by: Hyde on February 11, 2013, 09:10:49 PM
Post by: CastleRocker on February 16, 2013, 11:48:55 AM
Now if I can just find about 5000 more Winchester Power Point 22 shells, my wife will be able to go this year!
Post by: actionshooter on February 16, 2013, 12:21:10 PM
I don't know for sure, but the farmers who let us shoot the "Sage Rats" in their fields every year call them the Beldings Ground Squirrel. What I DO know for sure is, it a really, really good time!
Now if I can just find about 5000 more Winchester Power Point 22 shells, my wife will be able to go this year!
I'm going to be waiting for that call also. :hello: